The continuous tenses tell the reader about when an action was, is, or will be taking place over a period of time; but they also help to give the reader other information. For example:

Past continuous tense:

  • I was walking down the street when I bumped into an old friend. (The reader can guess that the ongoing action was interrupted, and the writer stopped walking and started talking to his or her friend.)
  • While his mother was making supper, Ndima was watching TV. (This tells the reader that Ndima’s mother was making supper at the same time as he was watching TV.)
  • I was wondering if you could help me. (Here, the speaker or writer is using the past continuous as a way of making a polite request.)

    Present continuous tense:

    Present continuous tense can be used to describe actions that only take place over a short time (e.g. I’m writing an email – but it’s almost finished) or actions that take place over a much longer time (e.g. I am studying to become a doctor). We also use this tense to show that something big is happening over a period of time (e.g. Global temperatures are rising).

    It can also be used to show that something is planned for the future, for example, “They are going to Durban next year”. Although the sentence is written in the present continuous tense, is about an action planned for next year.

    Future continuous tense:

    The future continuous tense is used to show something that will take place over time in the future, but it is also used to show that the writer or speaker is guessing what is likely to happen (e.g. We won’t be getting much rain this winter).

    It can also be used to ask a polite question (e.g. Will you be driving in to town tomorrow? May I get a lift with you?)